Help me decide on hatching eggs!

[PeckPeckChick]

I was thankfully able to sell all my roosters I needed to last year to good home(you know they go to a good home when the new owner is sending you fan mail) this year I'm hatching more so I guess I'll be calling up the local butcher or someone

Do you think that if they are a rare breed people will want to buy the roosters?

 

[Basil G]

Everything depends.I sold my roosters at poultry swaps and at shows.selling at a show will help.or selling in pairs or trios

 

[PeckPeckChick]

Everything depends.I sold my roosters at poultry swaps and at shows.selling at a show will help.or selling in pairs or trios

Do you breed or hatch eggs?

 

[Basil G]

I started last year with a NHRXBO cock and BSL, BR, and NHRXBO females.I sold them at a swap and at the local fair.everyone at the local fair wanted silkies (you have black meat chickens for sale? Was what I was asked several times) then other people wanted the cockerels and I thought one person was going to steal one of the NHRXBO xBSL females it depends on who you are selling to and what kind of life you want them to have(pets or dinner)

 

[PeckPeckChick]

I started last year with a NHRXBO cock and BSL, BR, and NHRXBO females.I sold them at a swap and at the local fair.everyone at the local fair wanted silkies (you have black meat chickens for sale? Was what I was asked several times) then other people wanted the cockerels and I thought one person was going to steal one of the NHRXBO xBSL females it depends on who you are selling to and what kind of life you want them to have(pets or dinner)

Were you selling them as chicks or adults

 

[PeckPeckChick]

And is there a certain time of year everyone wants them?

 

[blucoondawg]

I'd say you are more likely to sell chicks in spring time as that will give them time to grow up before winter, also some people probably still will get some chicks around easter for the kids. I would think once it gets toward mid summer you will sell more pullets that are close to point of lay, in my area winter would be a no sell time as birds are usually cooped up and don't need any added mouths to feed during a low production time anyways. If it is warm in winter by you then your results could be different. I would think the market for adult or point of lay birds would be better than chicks year round except maybe in spring

 

[Basil G]

Unless you are going to a winter show/swap. I go to the NE congress poultry show and get cheap birds there because people don't want to bring them home on the last day of the show.
I sold my birds as adults, so I knew what I was selling (colour wise)Selling them as chicks means they will be off your hands really quick (if that's what you want)

 

[PeckPeckChick]

Unless you are going to a winter show/swap. I go to the NE congress poultry show and get cheap birds there because people don't want to bring them home on the last day of the show.
I sold my birds as adults, so I knew what I was selling (colour wise)Selling them as chicks means they will be off your hands really quick (if that's what you want)

So at shows they are easier to sell as chicks, and how much do you price your pullets?

 

[Basil G]

I don't think they allow you to sell birds at shows under a certain age. (I think the minimum age I saw was 2 months)
I sell pullets for $15 and roosters at $10 if the person comes to me (or I don't have to drive to far) Shows I add $5 more to each because I have to drive to the show/swap and gas doesn't come free (yet)